Method for the surface peening of a component

ABSTRACT

The present technology relates generally to a method for surface peening, particularly shot peening, of a component, particularly a gas turbine component, in which peening bodies, particularly peening bodies designed as balls, are directed onto a surface of a component being peened, in order to machine or strengthen the surface of the component. According to certain embodiments of the present technology, the temperature and/or the velocity of the peening bodies is measured to establish process control of surface peening.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application Serial No. PCT/DE2007/000792 (International Publication Number WO 2007/128278 A1), having an International filing date of May 3, 2007 entitled “Verfahren Zum Oberflächenstrahlen Eines Bauteils” (“Method for the Surface Peening of a Component”). International Application Serial No. PCT/DE2007/000792 claimed priority benefits, in turn, from German Patent Application No. 10 2006 021 223.1, filed May 6, 2006. International Application Serial No. PCT/DE2007/000792 and German Application No. 10 2006 021 223.1 each are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present technology relates generally to a method for surface peening. More specifically, the present technology relates to a method for shot peening of a component, particularly a gas turbine component.

Gas turbine components, like components of aircraft engines, are subject to high stress loads during operation that can lead to wear and failure of components. Since aircraft engines, for example, must satisfy the highest standards with respect to reliability, weight, performance, economic efficiency and lifetime, all potentials for optimization must be utilized. These standards also include optimized utilization of the potentials of materials, from which the components are produced. The surfaces of the components are then assigned special significance, since the surfaces or edge layers during operation are exposed to maximum stress. The surfaces or edge layers are generally the location of a component where failure issues are initiated. It is presently understood from the state of the art that components should be strengthened on their surfaces or edge layers to provide optimized material potentials. The lifetime of the components can also be increased as a result of the strengthening of the surface of the components.

According to the present state of the technology, shot peening is a preferred method for the surface strengthening of components. During shot peening, balls are accelerated with compressed air, by means of shot blasting wheels, or they can be accelerated by means of a sonotrode oscillating in the ultrasonic frequency range, and directed onto a surface of a component being strengthened. The balls, accelerated by means of the sonotrode, strike the surface of the component being strengthened in a statistical distribution, thereby strengthening the component on the component's surface. During the shot peening process, the energy supplied by a sonotrode is indirectly or directly transferred from the balls to the surface being strengthened of the component being peened. During ultrasonic shot peening using a sonotrode, the operating voltage and/or the operating current of the sonotrode can be measured to monitor and/or control the peening process, but it does not provide direct monitoring of the strengthening of the surface itself. In particular, no information concerning the mechanical and thermal states of the surface being strengthened can be obtained online during the peening process.

Having discussed the issues of the state of the technology, it is at least one aspect of the present technology provided to offer a new method for surface peening of a component.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The issues discussed above are addressed by a method for surface peening of a component, particularly a gas turbine component, in which peening bodies, particularly balls, are directed onto a surface of a component in order to machine it or strengthen the component by strengthening the component's surface. Further, the present technology provides a method for controlling the shot peening process by measuring the temperature and/or velocity of the peening bodies. In doing so, the mechanical and/or thermal status of the surface being strengthened can be obtained directly and/or online.

The presently described technology proposes the novel technique of measuring the temperature and/or velocity of the peening bodies during the surface peening process, thereby establishing enhanced control of the surface peening process. The techniques of the present technology can provide for conclusions to be drawn directly and online during processing regarding the quality of surface strengthening that is achieved, for example, during the surface peening process.

Certain embodiments provide for measurement of the temperature and velocity of the peening bodies, as well as the surface temperature of the component being peened, thereby allowing the surface peening process to be better controlled and/or regulated accordingly.

Preferred modifications of the present technology are apparent from the following description provided. Without restricting the presently described technology to specific embodiments, practical examples of the present technology are further explained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[Not Applicable]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present technology relates generally to a method for the surface peening, particularly shot peening, of a component, particularly where the component is a gas turbine component. It will be assumed below that the surface peening processes described are conducted as ultrasonic shot peening, whereby peening bodies are accelerated by means of a sonotrode oscillating in the ultrasonic frequency range and directed onto a surface of a component.

To establish online process control or online process monitoring of ultrasonic shot peening, the present technology provides for the measurement of the temperature and/or velocity of the peening bodies during the ultrasonic shot peening process. In certain embodiments, the measurements can be taken, for example, using infrared technology. However, other measurement processes are envisioned.

Additionally, in certain embodiments, for example, the velocity of the peening bodies is measured adjacent to the peening surface, that is, the velocity measured is the impact velocity or the rebound velocity of the peening bodies on the peening surface of the component being strengthened.

Further, in addition to temperature and velocity of the peening bodies, certain preferred embodiments of the present technology also measure the temperature of the peening surface. From these measurements, conclusions regarding the condition of the surface being strengthened, particularly regarding the thermal and mechanical states of the surface can then be drawn online. Accordingly, the present technology males online process monitoring or online process control during the peening process of ultrasonic shot peening possible, unlike prior peening processing methods. Such an outcome leads to several apparent advantages such as improved component strengthening quality.

Certain aspects of the present technology can be used to regulate surface peening as a function of the measured temperature of the peening bodies and/or the measured velocity of the peening bodies and/or the measured temperature of the peening surface of the component being strengthened. Depending on the measured temperature and velocities, process parameters of ultrasonic shot peening can therefore be adjusted and will be appreciated by those familiar with the art.

As discussed above, the measurement of the temperatures and velocities is preferably taken using infrared technology. Accordingly, it is preferred that boundary walls of a peening space, within which a component being peened is arranged, are comprised of infrared transparent material, at least in sections, in order to permit infrared measurement.

The present technology has now been described in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable a person familiar in the art to which it pertains, to practice the same. It is to be understood that the foregoing describes preferred embodiments and examples of the present technology and that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the present technology as set forth in the claims. Moreover, while particular elements, embodiments and applications of the present technology have been shown and described, it will be understood, of course, that the present technology is not limited thereto since modifications can be made by those familiar in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, particularly in light of the foregoing teachings and appended claims. Moreover, it is also understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings, if any, and as described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the present technology, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents. Further, all references cited herein are incorporated in their entirety. 

1. A method for machining or strengthening the surface area of a component comprising the steps of: surface peening the component by directing peening bodies onto a peening surface of the component; and measuring at least one of the temperature or the velocity of the peening bodies; wherein at least one of the measured temperature or the measured velocity of the peening bodies is used to establish control of the surface peening process.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the component is a component of a gas turbine.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface peening step is a shot peening process.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the surface peening step is achieved using ultrasonic shot peening.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the peening bodies are balls.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the measuring step measures both the temperature and the velocity of the peening bodies.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the velocity of the peening bodies is measured at a point adjacent to the peening surface of the component.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of measuring the temperature of the peening surface of the component.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the temperature or the velocity of the peening bodies is recorded using infrared measurement.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the temperature of the peening bodies is recorded using infrared measurement.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the velocity of the peening bodies is recorded using infrared measurement.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the temperature and the velocity of the peening bodies are recorded using infrared measurement.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein at least one of the temperature or the velocity of the peening bodies is recorded using infrared measurement.
 14. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature of the peening surface of the component is recorded using infrared measurement.
 15. The method of claim 8, wherein the temperature of the peening bodies, the velocity of the peening bodies and the temperature of the peening surface of the component is recorded using infrared measurement.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein the surface peening step is regulated or controlled based on at least one of the temperature or the velocity of the peening bodies.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the surface peening step is regulated or controlled based on the temperature and the velocity of the peening bodies.
 18. The method of claim 8, wherein the surface peening step is regulated or controlled based on at least one of the temperature of the peening bodies, the velocity of the peening bodies, or the temperature of the peening surface of the component.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the surface peening step is regulated or controlled based on the temperature of the peening surface of the component.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the surface peening step is regulated or controlled based on the temperature of the peening bodies, the velocity of the peening bodies, and the temperature of the peening surface of the component. 